Replaced the drum pulley and the noise stopped. I also checks the springs and they were fine and seated properly. the concrete counter weights were also fine (not broken). To look at the springs and weights, I removed two screws from the back that held the top down and then popped the top off. It was the best way to view everything. My neighbor knew all this and he was necessary not only to diagnose it but also to help me keep the pulley from spinning while I loosened it in the other direction - place a metal bar/rod/something in the sprockets of the pulley to prevent it from turning and then use a socket wrench to get the nut & bolt out.
Mike (again), January 2005